Antibodies against rickettsia in humans and potential vector ticks from dhofar, Oman

Objective - To determine the extent of rickettsial infections prevalence of potential vector ticks in the rural population of Dhofar, Oman. Method - Human sera [n = 347] were obtained from six rural localities [school children, farmers, outpatients] in Dhofar, Sultanate of Oman. Sera were tested by immunofluorescence for the presence of antibodies reacting with Rickettsia conorii antigen. Results - More than half the samples [59%] gave positive reactions [titres of at least 1:64]. Ticks [n=707] were collected from cattle, camels and goats [n=102] and included Amblyomma variegatum, Hyalomma a. anatolicum, H. dromedarii, H. rufipes and Rhipicephalus spp., all of which can potentially transmit rickettsiae to humans. Conclusion - The results suggest that rickettsial infections are common among the rural population of Dhofar